Mid-South Memories: March 23

County Commission Chairman Jack Ramsey (left) paused to chat with Norfleet Turner (center), chairman of the board of First National Bank (later First Tennessee Bank) and Allen Morgan, the bank’s president, shortly after First National officially opened it’s new $10 million, 25-story building at 165 Madison Avenue and Third Street on March 23, 1964. Some 600 people gathered on the bank’s plaza in chilly temperatures and another 500 stood in the building’s lobby and listened to the ceremony on a loudspeaker. The building took 22 months to complete, according to Morgan, and was completed within the original budget. (Bob Williams, Courtesy Special Collections/University of Memphis Libraries)

March 23

25 years ago: 1989

There now are only two active contenders for horse racing licenses in Memphis. Another prospective racetrack operator apparently no longer is interested in a Memphis venture, state Sen. Steve Cohen (D-Memphis) said Wednesday. Cohen had said he knew of someone other than S. Richard “Sonny” Bauman and Charles McVean who wanted to build a track here but refused to identify him. Baumaan completed a transaction Wednesday to buy 184 acres for a track to be called Memphis Downs. Cohen said that purchase effectively killed the interest of the unidentified person because it’s the only property in the city zoned for a racetrack. McVean also is seeking a racing license — but his wouldn’t require a new track. He wants a license to race ponies ridden by robot jockeys inside the Mid-South Coliseum.

50 years ago: 1964

A 101-year-old former Memphian who knew Confederate President Jefferson Davis said yesterday the new eight-foot Davis statue now on display in the Peabody lobby “looks just like him.” “He was a slender figure, just like that,” said Lee Meriwether, St. Louis attorney and author. Former Mayor Walter Chandler said yesterday an anonymous donor has offered to give $2,000 for the statue’s granite pedestal if the people of Memphis raise the remaining $5,000 needed. “I accepted this offer, contingent on the people’s contributing the rest,” Mr. Chandler said. “Let us come forward now and put the statue on its pedestal in Confederate Park.”

75 years ago: 1939

The now unused street car tracks on Adams between Main and Third, in front of the Courthouse and City Hall, will be removed in the project for widening and repaving the street by WPA workers who have already widened from Lauderdale to Third by taking five feet off each side for street uses.

100 years ago: 1914

Washington — The Senate Judiciary Committee is expected to act favorably today upon the nomination of R.H. Terrell, former Memphis Negro, for one of the district municipal judges. His wife is the daughter of Bob Church, once Memphis’ wealthiest Negro.

125 years ago: 1889

Patrolman Wilder is still giving thanks for his narrow escape from serious injury this week. He had gone into a saloon on Main to arrest a man for fighting. As he was leaving the place with his prisoner the youthful bartender, son of the owner, tried to bash in the officer’s skull with a baseball bat. But his stiff patrolman’s hat absorbed the blow and he was able to arrest the barkeeper, too.